Going Forth

It is interview and application time over in our neck of the woods, right now more so applications than interviews.  So far Ryan has applied for jobs in Sacramento, CA and Madison, WI; he is also a finalist for a program called Presidential Management Fellows and as such will get to go to an exclusive job fair in Washington DC for finalists, and he has met with the legislative audit division in Salt Lake and will contact them again to see if they have any openings in the next month or two. He will also probably apply for a couple more openings in Arizona, and possibly Virginia.  So basically we have potential prospects in all directions. We just found out today that Ryan made it to a second round of interviews in Sacramento, which will probably take place sometime mid to late February and then the PMF job fair is in March.   It's a pretty crazy feeling to not to know where we will be in 7 or 8 months, but one thing is sure, it won't be here. We probably won't even find out where we are headed until late April or May.  Bummer. We're excited though, so many different possibilities, it will definitely be an interesting year.

One Year of Rachel

Rachel turned a year old earlier this week. In comparison to Lauren's first birthday the festivities were considerably more low key, but still fun. Everything took place in about 45 minutes because Ryan had a late class and then had to hurry off to youth night.  Here are some pictures:

Pancake faces for dinner

Birthday cupcakes

Rachel really wanted to touch the fire

More about Rachel:

• She is a great eater. She eats just about anything and everything we've given to her and some things we haven't (little treasures of left overs found under the table)
• She is very feisty and not afraid to stick up for herself with Lauren
• She likes to have a good time 
• She is starting to enjoy books and toys more and more

In case you're wondering:

• She has no teeth
• She is not walking yet, but is gradually starting to consider the idea
• I don't how much she weighs, we haven't had her doctor appointment yet, but she has already grown out of the coat I bought her a month ago
• Basically the only word she says quite understandably is "mom" which she uses towards anyone as a plea for attention or food

Christmas Joys

We were so blessed this Christmas to get to spend three weeks with both of our families.  Sadly I forgot to take very many pictures so I will be relying on family (hint, hint) to send any of the ones they have my way.

The girls were in heaven the whole trip getting loads of attention and lots of new toys and books to entertain.  I also feel like the three weeks allowed both of them to gain a stronger relationship with both sets of grandparents and aunts and uncles to the point that they felt comfortable with them when Ryan and I were not around.  We managed a few nights out alone which were wonderful.

Much to Lauren's and my dismay (since I had packed a ton of snow clothes) was the complete lack of snow our entire time in Utah.  Every time Lauren's would see a small patch of usually blackish grayish nasty snow she would beg to build a snowman or make a snow angel in it.  However there were some nice days in the upper 40s and lower 50s where we were able to go enjoy the park.

We were also able to go to Temple Square and check out the lights, go to the Children's Museum, Lauren rode a trax train for the first time (which she loved), and we went to several family parties and visited other extended family, and Ryan completed his Zelda game :)

But at the end of the three weeks it was time to come home and to quote one of Lauren's favorite books:  "To say goodbye is always sad, but coming home is never bad."  Thank you Woolsey and Merkley mom and dad for the great Christmas gift!

Christmas Jammies, they're tradition

Rachel's first Christmas

Lauren's kitchen

Let's face it all your kids really want for Christmas is a big
cardboard box.

This is OUR box, find your own mom

Rachel getting shoved out of the box